Back then perhaps the athletics were maybe more removed from the oversight of the university leadership. It may be that mascots were selected by energetic (drunk?) young people in an irreverent state of mind. Maybe even being a little rebellious.

This is a bit of history from DePaul, a Catholic university: http://news.library.depaul.edu/news/post/2008/07/How-did-DeP... "So next time you are out cheering for the red and the blue remember to cheer for our Demon too!"